Connection through choral music

Photo credit: Heather Esposito

Kathleen Ballantyne made her debut as a composer with Women's Works of Ithaca in March 2014 with Petition, a choral work based on an 1874 petition to the US government in support of women's suffrage. Recent premieres of her works include Are Women People? with the Siena College Choirs and Musicians of Ma'alwyck and From Shale Rock We Rise with the Grassroots Festival Chamber Orchestra. Her choral music is published by Alfred Music Publishing and Heritage Music Press. In November 2016 From Shale Rock We Rise was featured in her talk at the TEDxChemungRiver conference, titled "Yes, No, And: Three Words for a Creative and Purposeful Life."

An active clinician and music educator, Ms. Ballantyne is an instructor at the Ithaca College School of Music and a popular guest conductor at festivals throughout New York State. In 2016, she was appointed as the new Artistic Director of the Ithaca Children and Youth Chorus, following the departure of founding director Dr. Janet Galvan. Ms. Ballantyne is also the owner/founder of Forte Music Editing, which provides music editing, engraving, and proofing services for music publishers and independent composers throughout the country. She is a frequent contributor to music education publications, including Activate! magazine.

Previously, Ms. Ballantyne taught choral music and theater at Johnson City High School in upstate New York, which received repeated national recognition as a Grammy Signature School and a Best Community for Music Education during her tenure. A graduate of Ithaca College and the Irish World Music Centre, she holds degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance, as well as Chant and Ritual Song.